Parties argue over principles in Minnesota redistricting fight

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - A special court panel is deciding how much wiggle room it should allow in crafting new legislative and congressional districts.

Five judges heard arguments Wednesday about what principles should matter most as they remake political maps in a process called redistricting.

Considerations include whether it matters more to follow city, county and town lines or to keep "communities of interest" together. The panel must also figure out how much -- if any -- population deviation is acceptable.

Lawyers for the state Democratic and Republican parties presented differing principles.

The court panel is preparing to issue new maps because a divided state government hasn't arrived at a negotiated deal. Redistricting is done once a decade after the census.

The process can affect which party has the upper hand in future elections.